ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, February 12, 1996 TAG: 9602130065
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
The field of candidates for the post of conductor of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra has been narrowed to five finalists, each of whom will conduct the orchestra in one concert during its 1995-96 season. This feature is intended to give readers and concert-goers a personal glimpse at the man behind the baton while the orchestra and its board are evaluating his professional capabilities.
Name: Ming-Feng Hsin
Current job: Music director of the South Shore Symphony, Long Island, N.Y.; assistant conductor of the Solisti New York Chamber Orchestra; and first violin at the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Age: 34
Marital status: Single
Describe your television watching habits.
``Ooh, I watch too much. In the old days I used to watch a lot, mostly sports. I love baseball.... When I got [to the U.S.] I already knew all about professional baseball. My favorite team is the Phillies because I lived there for a long time.... I watch news programs, PBS, because I don't like commercials.''
What do you do when you're not involved with music?
``I play tennis. Right now I'm getting into learning Italian because I'm doing more opera.... Another hobby I have is meteorology. I study the weather a lot. It's kind of my hobby, I don't know why I got into it. It's kind of weird. I especially love it when it snows, because we never had snow in Taiwan. I almost get too excited still when it snows.''
Ever been to Virginia?
``Yes. As a matter of fact, Roanoke was where we stopped on my first night of a three-day trip to Houston once.... We just stumbled upon it. In a way, I have very fond memories of it. It was dark when we arrived, and when we woke up we thought it was beautiful, the mountains all around us. I was with an old girlfriend.''
How did you spend your last vacation?
``I can't remember the last time I really had a vacation. I was in Italy learning Italian. I go home to Taiwan and spend time with my family. I have nephews and nieces I want to get to know."
Are there any musicians, pop, classical or otherwise, that you would especially like to perform with?
``I'd love to perform with some artists in the classical field, obviously. I would love to perform in adventurous venues... like in a ball park or something. A place that wouldn't be typical of classical music. To reach a different audience, I mean.''
What's the most enjoyable experience you've had as a musician or conductor, or at least the most recent one?
``I just conducted `Aida' [with the Taipai Symphony Orchestra]. I love the piece, just to be there with all the drama, the chorus, it just makes me feel rewarded. Everything was right and I was in the middle of all the elements.''
Your family is in Taiwan, but you've been in America 18 years now. Where do you consider home?
``My folks are there [in Taiwan], but I really do consider America my home. I think America is really me.... I feel like this is where I belong, because of my attitude, my outlook.''
ROANOKE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Tonight at 8 in the Roanoke Civic Center auditorium. With pianist Ruth Laredo and conductor-finalist Ming-Feng Hsin. For ticket information, call 343-9127.
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Ming-Feng Hsin color ROGER HART/Staffby CNB